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CarGo goes yard, but Rockies fall to Giants

If nagging injuries are avoided in '13, the once free-swinging Carlos Gonzalez is a 30-30 threat who will be amongst the NL's best OFs

By Thomas Harding
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MLB.com |

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Brandon Belt launched a pair of two-run homers to lead the Giants past a Rockies split squad, 11-6, on Friday afternoon at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

Belt launched his first homer off Rockies starter Christian Friedrich in the third inning and then went deep off reliever Miguel Batista in the seventh. Belt also recorded a double and finished 4-for-4 to up his Cactus League average to .439.

Friedrich missed the first half of Spring Training with back soreness and was making just his second appearance.

"He's got a good breaking ball and he threw some real good ones today, but this is like week one of Spring Training for him," manager Walt Weiss said.

Teammate Hunter Pence also homered, for a 1-0 lead in the first against Friedrich. Mark Minicozi homered off Rockies non-roster hopeful Manny Corpas to open the eighth. Giants leadoff man Gregor Blanco went 3-for-4 with a double and a triple.

Rockies All-Star left fielder Carlos Gonzalez hit a homer of his own, a two-run shot in the first off Giants starter Chris Heston, who is ranked the club's No. 8 prospect by MLB.com. Another Colorado highlight was a scoreless fifth inning pitched by left-hander Rex Brothers, who has not yielded a run in seven appearances covering seven innings.

The teams entered the seventh tied at 5, but the Giants touched Batista --- a non-roster invitee trying to earn a spot in the bullpen -- for four runs, including the second Belt homer and a solo shot from Nick Noonan.

Up next: Rockies lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who is 1-1 with a 2.84 spring ERA and is coming off three straight strong performances, will start in a home game Saturday against the Padres at 8:10 p.m. MT.